He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

"Ninth brother."

Song Zhi let out a soft cry in Fu Lu's arms.

Fu Lu gently coaxed, "It's alright, I'm here."

Song Zhi's tense nerves finally relaxed, and she said softly, "Thank goodness... you came."

As soon as she finished speaking, everything went black before her eyes, and she collapsed weakly into Fu Lu's arms.

……

When she woke up again, the pungent smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. Song Zhi frowned and slowly opened her eyes.

Outside the window, the morning light was faint, and the sky was just beginning to brighten.

She turned her head and saw Fu Lu lying on the edge of the bed, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was not sleeping soundly.

His suit jacket was casually draped over the back of the chair, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing a section of his muscular forearm, clearly indicating that he had been on guard all night.

Song Zhi felt a warmth in her heart and couldn't help but reach out and gently touch the ends of his hair with her fingertips.

However, the moment she touched his hair, Fu Lu suddenly woke up, looked up at her, and asked in a hoarse and tense voice, "Zhizhi?"

Song Zhi withdrew her hand and replied softly, "Um... how did I end up in the hospital?"

"You fainted."

Fu Lu sat up straight, the weariness in his eyes still lingering, yet he kept his eyes fixed on her, afraid that she might feel unwell again.

Song Zhi then remembered what happened last night, her expression changed, and she hurriedly sat up: "Where's Meng Yao? How is she?"

Fu Lu frowned slightly, reached out and pressed his hand on her shoulder, his tone tinged with reproach: "You should be concerned about yourself right now. Do you know how worried I am?"

Song Zhi was taken aback. Seeing the worry in his eyes, her heart softened immediately, and she whispered, "I'm sorry... I made you worry."

Fu Lu sighed, reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin gently on her shoulder, his voice low and deep: "It's good that you're alright."

Leaning against him, listening to his strong heartbeat, Song Zhi felt inexplicably at ease.

She nuzzled against his chest, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed, and whispered, "Ninth Brother, I... want to go to the restroom."

Fu Lu released her and stood up: "I'll carry you there."

Song Zhi quickly shook her head, her cheeks slightly flushed: "No need, I can do it myself."

"it is good."

Fu Lu didn't force her. He bent down to put on her slippers and helped her out of bed.

Song Zhi went into the bathroom, closed the door, and after relieving herself, she stood in front of the sink to wash her hands.

The water splashed and washed over her fingers. She glanced up at the mirror—

The next second, she froze.

The person in the mirror had a completely bald head, without a single hair.

Song Zhi's eyes widened, thinking she was seeing things. She rubbed her eyes hard and looked again—

Still so.

She reached out with trembling hands and touched her smooth scalp, the touch cold and unfamiliar.

"what--!"

A sharp scream shattered the silence of the ward.

"What happened?"

Upon hearing the scream, Fu Lu rushed into the bathroom, nervously supporting Song Zhi's shoulder and quickly scanning her body, worried that she might be unwell.

Song Zhi turned her head stiffly, her eyes slightly red, her voice trembling: "Where...where is my hair?"

Fu Lu paused for a moment, then explained calmly, "It's shaved."

"why?"

She stared wide-eyed, touching her bald scalp in disbelief.

"Some parts were burned by fire."

When Fu Lu said this, his tone was indifferent, as if he didn't think it was a big deal.

Song Zhi instantly bristled, her voice rising abruptly: "You shaved my head clean just because I burned a little bit?"

"Ah."

He nodded, remaining calm.

She was so angry that her chest heaved violently, and she almost fainted.

"Fu Lu, do you know how I can face people without hair? How can I go out in public?"

He smiled slightly, reached out to touch her face, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I don't mind."

Is this a question of whether you mind or not?

Her eyes reddened, and she was both angry and aggrieved. "You're so annoying!"

After saying that, she angrily pushed him away, strode out of the bathroom, and wished she could get as far away from him as possible.

Fu Lu followed behind her at a leisurely pace, a smile in his eyes. He reached out and touched her bald head, his voice low and gentle: "Your hair will grow back, and..."

He paused, then said earnestly, "You're cute just the way you are."

"You're the cute one!" She turned around abruptly and glared at him. "I look awful now! It's all your fault!"

"Not ugly."

He reached out and cupped her face, his thumb gently brushing against the corner of her eye, his voice firm, "Very beautiful."

Song Zhi rolled her eyes in exasperation: "I suspect there's something wrong with your eyes."

He chuckled softly, then suddenly leaned in and kissed her smooth forehead, his voice low and husky with amusement.

"I swear, my Song Xiaozhi is the most beautiful child in the world."

She was taken aback, her cheeks instantly burning. Her anger was completely shattered by his direct approach, and she could only turn her face away, muttering softly, "...I can't be bothered with you."

She paused, then ordered fiercely, "Go buy me a hat right now, immediately!"

Fu Lu raised an eyebrow, turned and walked to the drawer next to him, took out a light gray baseball cap from it, and handed it to her: "It's been prepared for a long time."

Song Zhi was stunned for a moment, then took the hat and put it on her head, finally feeling a little better.

"Hmph, that's pretty much it."

She muttered to herself, but couldn't help but smile slightly.

Fu Lu looked at her, his smile deepening: "Not angry anymore?"

She deliberately put on a stern face: "It depends on your performance."

He chuckled softly, reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice full of affection: "Okay, I'll coax you slowly."

Song Zhi glared at him angrily: "What right do you have to shave my head without my permission?"

Fu Lu chuckled softly, "Didn't I say it was partially burnt?"

"That doesn't mean you have to shave your whole head!"

She frantically tugged at the empty brim of her hat.

"I just swept it all away without thinking."

"..."

Song Zhi was speechless, choked by his self-righteous attitude.

Seeing her face flushed with anger, Fu Lu smiled and stepped forward to cup her face in his hands.

"Okay, baby, don't be angry."

He then gave her a light peck on the lips.

Song Zhi's ears burned, and she awkwardly pushed him away: "I'm hungry, let's go buy something to eat."

“What do you want to eat?”

"Whatever!" she urged, blushing. "Go quickly!"

Fu Lu chuckled softly and ruffled the top of her hat: "Be a good girl and wait for me."

After the ward door closed, Song Zhi sighed deeply and walked into the bathroom dejectedly.

Looking at myself in the mirror with my bald head, I felt awkward no matter how I looked at it.

She reached out and touched it; the unfamiliar texture was disheartening.

"What's so good about it...?"

She muttered under her breath, unable to bear it any longer, and quickly washed up before fleeing back to her hospital bed.

Just then, the cell phone on the bedside table suddenly lit up.

It's Fu Lu's cell phone.

Song Zhi glanced at the message that popped up on the screen.

Ninth Brother, thank you for doing all this for me, I'm so grateful...

The content that follows disappears as the screen turns off.

She instinctively reached out, but her fingertips just touched the phone before she abruptly pulled her hand back.

She bit her lip, then finally withdrew her hand and turned her back to the phone.